View clinical trials related to Neurodegenerative Diseases.
Filter by:This study aims to develop and evaluate biomarkers using non-invasive optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) as well as ultra-widefield (UWF) fundus photography to assess the structure and function of the retinal and choroidal microvasculature and structure in persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Parkinson's Disease (PD), or other neurodegenerative disease, diseases as outlined.
Background: Neurodegenerative disorders can lead to problems in movement or memory. Some can cause abnormal proteins to build up in brain cells. Researchers want to understand whether these diseases have related causes or risk factors. Objective: To test people with movement or thinking and memory problems to see if they are eligible for research studies. Eligibility: People ages 18 and older with a neurodegenerative disorder associated with accumulation of TDP-43 or Tau proteins Design: Participants will have a screening visit. This may take place over 2-3 days. Tests include: Medical history Physical exam Questions about behavior and mood Tests of memory, attention, concentration, and thinking Movement measurement. The speed at which participants can stand up from a chair, tap their finger and foot, and walk a short distance will be measured. Some movements will be videotaped. They will be videotaped while they speak and read a paragraph. Blood tests. This might include genetic testing. Lung and breathing tests MRI. They will lie on a table that slides into a cylinder that takes pictures of the body. Some participants will get a dye through IV. Electromyography. A thin needle will be inserted into the muscles to measure electrical signals. Nerve tests. Small electrodes on the skin record muscle and nerve activity. A small piece of skin may be removed. A skin or blood sample may be taken to create stem cells. Optional lumbar puncture. A needle will be inserted into the space between the bones of the back to collect fluid. If participants are not eligible for current studies, they may be contacted in the future.
The main goal of the study is to provide a unique multidimensional picture of the health of the population with simultaneous optimal standards of sampling, processing and storing of data and biomaterial that will allow discovering novel mechanisms in the development and progression of common civilization diseases. In the effect it will improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established treatment for advanced Parkinson's disease, medically refractory tremor, dystonia and obsessive compulsive disorder. Several hypotheses driven DBS trials are underway to study modulation of circuit dysfunction in other neurological and psychiatric disorders like epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease and depression. Recent reports suggest profound effects of DBS on the anatomy and function of downstream areas in the brain. For example electrical stimulation of limbic circuits is associated with increase in hippocampal neurogenesis. Similarly, stimulation of subthalamic nucleus (STN) or globus pallidus (GPi) results in activation of cortical motor circuits. Non-invasive imaging modalities are increasingly being employed in these investigations to better understand the effects of DBS on the structure and function of the brain. There have been important advances in MRI and we now have MRI which provides higher resolution and higher quality brain images. More specifically, the investigators propose to use MRI to perform functional magnetic resonance imaging (i.e. fMRI) to assess the effects of deep brain stimulation on brain function and to assess whether fMRI can be used as an adjunct to improve clinical practice in these patients.
The purpose of this study is to measure the amount of a protein in the brain known as tau using an imaging procedure called Positron Emission Tomography (PET/CT). Tau has been shown to build up in the brains of patients with injury to brain cells. This study looks at neurodegenerative diseases such as frontotemporal degeneration (FTD).
The CENTAUR trial was a 2:1 (active:placebo) randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AMX0035 for the treatment of ALS.
This multicenter natural history study aims to expand the network of clinical research centers in FA, and to provide a framework for facilitating therapeutic interventions. In addition, this study will lead to the development of valid yet sensitive clinical measures crucial to outcome assessment of patients with Friedreich's Ataxia. This study will support genetic modifier studies, biomarker studies, and frataxin protein level assessments by building a sample repository.
Safety and efficacy of AADC gene transfer in participants with Parkinson's disease.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is an aggressive, deadly disease. ALS leads to destruction of the neural pathways which control the conscious movements of the muscles. This destruction leads to muscular dystrophy with increasing difficulties in moving, breathing, swallowing, and speaking. In the last phase of an ALS patient's life it is necessary with respiratory therapy in order to breathe. In average an ALS patient lives 3 years from the time he or she gets the diagnose. The cause of the disease is still unknown and there is currently no treatment which can stop the progression of the disease. Former clinical studies have indicated that the innate immune system and in particular the complement system plays a significant role in the progression of ALS. The complement system, which is activated in cascades, is part of the innate system but participates in the innate as well as the acquired immune system. Former clinical trials have been characterized by limited knowledge about both the complement system as well as to how it is measured. Today it is possible to measure directly on the different components of the complement system and to understand its contribution to the overall immune response. It is also possible today to detect defects of the complement system. All these progressions are the foundation for this project which is carried out in close cooperation with one of the world's leading researchers in the complement system, professor Peter Garred from Rigshospitalet. The aim is to make a national research project about ALS in order to investigate the role of the innate immune system, and especially the complement system, in patients with ALS. In the long term the hope is, that this will lead the way to a targeted and effective medical treatment to the people affected by this grave disease.
This retrospective study is a more extensive, confirmatory analysis of the cognitive and functional outcomes initially seen in 2 groups of MCI/dementia patients in Springfield, MA and compares specialized dementia care and a comprehensive treatment approach versus usual care delivered in a non-specialist setting. The first group of patients (n= 328) was seen by a dementia specialist, who utilized a standardized assessment and treatment protocol (CNS). This included comprehensive identification and treatment of hypoxia, sleep-disorders, and other cognitively-impairing metabolic conditions as well as maximally- dosed FDA-approved medications for dementia, depression, and PBA. The second group of patients (n= 280) was seen by non-dementia specialists in the community and received usual care which did not include comprehensive assessment or treatment of underlying metabolic derangements or maximal utilization of currently available medications. This study, evaluating date from a larger cohort (n>800) of specialist-treated cognitively-impaired patients, will further examine the hypothesis that a comprehensive dementia treatment protocol yields cognitive stabilization and/or improvement using already available dementia drugs when compared with usual community care.